Regional Consultation-Workshop on Inclusive Education

The SEAMEO Secretariat, the SEAMEO Regional Training Centre (RETRAC) and the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, with the support of the Norwegian Government, convened the Regional Consultation-Workshop on Inclusive Education in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 31 October to 2 November 2007. The workshop that discussed the theme “Promoting Access to Quality Education of Children with special Learning Needs in Southeast Asia”, was meant to provide the Ministries of Education and education stakeholders with a deeper understanding of the state of special education in the region and an appreciation of the future developments in the SEAMEO member countries. Participants identified common concerns, recommended cooperative activities and shared profiles of the state of education for children with special needs through country reports. They also visited a special school for hearing-impaired children in Hanoi (shown in the picture).

A total of 33 participants attended the workshop from 10 of the 11 SEAMEO Member Countries and from international non-government organizations, with the staff of SEAMEO RETRAC and the SEAMEO Secretariat.

 

  
Dr Wahdi Salasi April Yudhi, SEAMEO Secretariat deputy director for programme and development, noted in his opening remarks that it is important to take stock of the development of special education services and to adopt inclusion by sharing and exchanging knowledge and good practices on special education and inclusion among the SEAMEO countries.
Special education experts from participating SEAMEO member countries presented an overview of their educational systems and the framework for inclusion and provision of services for children with special learning needs. All countries subscribe to the principle of inclusion in education, drawing from the laws and regulations enacted for schools to give maximal opportunities for learning and participation.
Last Updated ( Friday, 16 November 2007 )